Multimedia Learning

Practical Ideas for Designing Better E-Learning by David Anderson

3 Creative Examples for Using Lesson Plans in Your E-learning Courses

2010/09/20 By David

blended elearning

Many e-learning designers are understandably focused on creating more engaging courses these days. In fact, “How can I build better e-learning?” is one of the most popular questions we hear in E-Learning Heroes.

The good news is there are many ways to design more interactivity and engagement in your courses. But sometimes, the best way to make a course better, is to take the learning out of the course.

This week’s examples highlight some creative e-learning projects based on attachments and teacher guides. The courses alone are excellent e-learning examples. But they’re even better with the supporting resources and activities.

Jamestown Exhibit

The Jamestown Exhibit contains interactive maps, animations and video interviews to tell the story of Jamestown.

The Teacher’s Guide contains expanded information along with student discussion questions, learning activities and debate questions.

I thought the debate questions were a nice touch:

Van Valen’s Gold Rush Journey

In Van Valen’s Gold Rush Journey, students play the roll of historians as they follow along Van Valen’s gold rush journey. Student activities are available as PDF documents and embedded in the actual e-learning project.

Hints and resources are also included throughout the course, making this one of the best examples of blended e-learning.

Resources include:

  • Teacher’s Guide
  • Student Worksheet
  • Gold Rush Rubric
  • Journal Entry Transcript

The Drill on the Spill: Learning About the Gulf Oil Leak in the Lab

The NYT flips things around by beginning with a web page and referring students to various oil spill interactive graphics, infographics and videos for analysis.

The web site provides teaching and learning materials around the oil spill disaster. Resources such as articles, discussion questions and lab activities help students learn about the spill and cleanup efforts.

What do you think?

  • Were you surprised all three examples were designed for K-12 students?
  • What did you think about the debate topics? Have you designed something similar in your e-learning? Seems like SharePoint forums or discussion boards could be a good corporate option.
  • What kinds of topics would work best for student guides?
  • Do you think it takes more or less time to design supporting resources?

I’m already thinking of ways to include something similar with my Screenr videos:-)

Filed Under: Creative E-learning Tagged With: attachments, blended, creative, design, e-learning, interactive, lesson plan, resources, student guide, teacher guide

Comments

  1. R Stephens says

    2010/09/24 at 12:30 am

    I’m very much interested in the design of the Jamestown interactive. Do you have any information on its development?

  2. david says

    2010/09/24 at 12:58 am

    @R Stephens – I found a Credits page listing Invioni as the development company: http://jamestown.invioni.com/credits.html Invioni’s page isn’t loading for me now http://www.invioni.com/ but that’s all I know about it.

    The History Channel does some really nice work. A while back they produced this multimedia project on The Human Family Tree: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-family-tree-3706-interactive

    Was their anything specific you were looking for?

  3. Verónica says

    2010/11/02 at 4:11 pm

    Hi David!
    I like it very much this post and all of the examples,
    it gives me a couple of ideas to think about and to explore,
    just a question:
    I’d like to know more about sharepoint (actually I know almost nothing!!) could you advise me a place to go and take a look? some links to surf?
    thank you very much!
    saludos!
    Vero

  4. Mr. Morton says

    2011/01/06 at 4:35 pm

    Wow. That Jamestown Exhibit is inspiring.

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention 3 Creative Examples for Using Lesson Plans in Your E-learning Courses -- Topsy.com says:
    2010/09/20 at 7:18 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jenise Cook, ASTD-VOS. ASTD-VOS said: 3 Creative Examples for Using Lesson Plans in Your E-learning Courses: Many e-learning designers are unde… http://bit.ly/b9UX3q […]

  2. Around the Web 10 JAN 2011 | Business & Industry Training Center says:
    2011/01/11 at 8:06 am

    […] 3 Creative Examples for Using Lesson Plans in Your E-learning Courses from multimediaLearning […]

Subscribe

Enter your email address:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

Recent Favorites

5-Point Makeover Process for PowerPoint and E-learning

Design Mapping: Creating the Right Look and Feel for Your E-learning

Drag Drop Game: Optical Illusion

Dump the Next Button: Increase Learner Engagement with NEXTCHA

E-Learning Course Templates for SMEs: Compliance Edition

E-Learning Slide Makeover: 5 Design Ideas to Rock Your Learners Into Compliance

Free: E-Learning Checklist Interaction for Articulate Storyline

Macbeth Motion Comic as E-learning Scenario Model

Copyright MULTIMEDIA LEARNING © 2023